Gemotions

The ceramic mug slipped in Sarah’s trembling hands, barely avoiding a shattered mess on the kitchen floor. It landed with a soft thud on the counter, its contents of lukewarm tea sloshing over the side. Her brother, Mark, had just told them he was embracing Buddhism. Her mother’s face had gone slack, her father’s jaw tight. Now, the silence hung heavy in the air, thick and suffocating.

"So, you're… meditating now?" Sarah managed, her voice a strained whisper.

Mark nodded, a serene smile gracing his lips. He looked so at peace, so unlike the brother she knew. The one who used to build Lego castles and quote Star Wars. She felt a cold wave wash over her, a deep chill that settled in her bones. The familiar comfort of family felt suddenly foreign, shifting beneath her feet.